The Dettifoss Ultra Run 11th August 2012 takes you through magnificent landscape with view over the Jökulsá (glacier river) canyon, including Ásbyrgi canyon. It is safe to say that when it comes to the scenery, this trail run is one of a kind. The roughest part of the run is between Dettifoss waterfall and Hólmatungur area where the surface is sand, rock and rough gravel.
Itinerary Highlights of South and North and Dettifoss Trail Run 11th August 2012
All Iceland is offering organised self drive Dettifoss Trail Run package, 5 days and 4 nights from £585 per person sharing a double/twin room.
This includes:
- Small Hertz rental car, picked up and returned to Keflavik International Airport
- 2 nights accommodation Reykjavik, private facilities
- 2 nights in the countryside, private facilities
- Race fee
- Iceland Road Atlas and Map
- Detailed itinerary which we will help put together with you
- All Iceland contact number to help you to book accommodation and excursions should you decide to change your plans whilst on holiday
Excluding:
-Flight from UK
-Travel insurance
-Optional excursions
Day 1: Thursday
Departure from London UK
Pick up the rental car at the airport
Option 1
Relax in the Blue Lagoon on your way to Reykjavik
Use the afternoon and the evening to explore the Golden Circle the highlights of the southwest. Drive to Thingvelliir, the National Park and the location for the oldest Parliament in the world. Drive from Thingvellr through Lyngdalsheidi to Laugarvatn. From there drive to Geysir and Gullfoss. From Gullfoss drive back to Reykjavik. This trip should take 6-8 hours, about 3 hours driving. There will be daylight through the night.
Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Option 2
Drive from the South of Iceland to Akureyri the capital of the North. Enjoying the scenic landscape on Route 1. One the way stop at Borgarnes a small pitteresque village. Hraunfossar and Barnafossar are natural gems not to be missed.
Check in at hotel in North of Iceland
Day 2: Friday
Option 1
Check out from the hotel in Reykjavik
Drive from the South of Iceland to Akureyri the capital of the North (380 km). From Akureyri to the Dettifoss Trail Run race start is 150 km.
Enjoying the scenic landscape on Route 1. One the way stop at Borgarnes a small pitteresque village. Hraunfossar and Barnafossar are natural gems not to be missed.
Check in at hotel in North
Option 2
Myvatn offers a unique natural environment and is around 2 hrs drive from Akureyi. Explore Myvatn area Dimmuborgir and Namaskard. Visit Husavik town and experience whale watching.
Check in at hotel in North
Enjoy evening in North
Day 3: Saturday
Race day
Dettifoss Trail Run will be held for the eight times, in August 2011 (will be confirmed soon). It is held in the Jokulsargljufur site of Vatnajokull National Park in northeast Iceland, in the area of the magnificent glacier river Jökulsá á Fjöllum with its enormous canyon, waterfalls and contrasts.
The running route
The run takes you through magnificent landscape with view over the Jökulsá (glacier river) canyon, including Ásbyrgi canyon. It is safe to say that when it comes to the scenery, this trail run is one of a kind. The roughest part of the run is between Dettifoss waterfall and Hólmatungur area where the surface is sand, rock and rough gravel. Just above Hólmatungur the vegetation starts and the surface switches to a soil path. As the route proceeds further north along the river, the vegetation turns more to shrubbery. One small river, Stallá, needs to be crossed and plastic bags are available at the location for those who wish. The last leg of the route takes you north alongside Ásbyrgi on narrow paths through a birch forest. This part tends to be quite slow going for weary feet.
The Dettifoss Trail Run running options are as follows:
Dettifoss - Ásbyrgi 32,7 km
Hólmatungur - Ásbyrgi 21,2 km
Vesturdalur - Ásbyrgi 13,2 km
Entry fees include:
Race shirt, race trophy and individual prizes.
Race time-keeping and race number
Course and safety marshalling, transport for those who are not able to finish
Transport from Ásbyrgi to each starting point.
Water, energy drinks and bananas during race
Fruits, water, energy and soda drinks at the finish
Barbeque in Ásbyrgi
Medical assistance in Ásbyrgi
Route maps and altitude graph
The Vatnajokull National Park website, provides maps, information and pictures of the running terrrain.
Sign in for the run
Runners must sign in at Gljúfrastofa Visitor Centre in Ásbyrgi on Saturday, to receive their running number. Sign-in time depends on running distance. Information can be found on the race webpage.
Transportation to starting posts
Buses will transport runners to each of the three starting posts. Conditions vary from point to point, but runners should have 10-20 minutes to warm up before the run. None of the starting posts has changing facilities, only dry toilets. Runners can leave marked bags with clothing etc. in the bus to pick up in Ásbyrgi after the race. No responsibility is taken for valuables in these bags.
Drink stations
Water and energy drinks will be available at approximately 5 km intervals at the following places: Dettifoss waterfall, north of Hafragil gorge, Hólmatungur parking, Stallá river, Hljóðaklettar parking, halfway between Kvíar and Klappir, and by Tófugjá, east of Ásbyrgi.
Safety
Safety guards will be present in places where the route runs close to the canyon edge and on any other potentially unsafe places. Runners do however run at their own risk.
Awards ceremony
The awards ceremony will be by the finish post in Ásbyrgi at approximately 17:00.
Showers / swimming pool
Showers are available in the Ásbyrgi campground service house for IKR 300.-. A swimming pool with a hot tub is located in Lundur, 7 km east of Ásbyrgi.
Food
A local food BBQ is provided after the trail run. It is included in the trail run fee and will be served after the trophy ceremony at approximately 17:30.
About the area
Jökulsá á Fjöllum (glacier river) rises beneath the Vatnajökull icecap and enters the sea at Öxarfjörður bay. From its source the river flows across a high plateau dotted with isolated palagonite peaks and scarred with lava flows. At the edge of the highlands the land drops and the river becomes more turbulent and forms several huge waterfalls, tumbling into the magnificent canyon that bears its name. The Jökulsárgljúfur canyon is one of the largest and most impressive river canyons in Iceland. It is 25 km long, ½ km wide and in many places more than 100 metres deep.
The Jökulsárgljúfur National Park was created in 1973. Located on the west bank of Jökulsá River, the National Park extends 30 km northwards from the Dettifoss waterfall to trunk road no. 85, covering 120 sq. kilometres. In 2008, Vatnajökull National Park was created around Vatnajökull glacier. Vatnajökull National Park includes Jökulsárgljúfur NP and Skaftafell NP in south of Iceland.
The nature within the park is magnificent and full of contrast. It is beautiful and peaceful, though the enormous forces of nature are ever-present. The only way to fully experience Jökulsárgljúfur National Park is by foot and the park is an ideal hiking area. There are marked hiking trails alongside the edge of the canyon from Ásbyrgi canyon south to Dettifoss and Selfoss waterfalls.
Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, is undoubtedly the park’s most famous attraction but far from the only one. Each bend in the river reveals a new postcard perfect scene, and there are so many wonderful places to explore that spending a few days is well worth it. For more detailed information, visit the park’s website.
Option 1
Relax after the race in one of the lovely swimming pools
Explore the Asbyrgi area and enjoy the evening at the capital of North Akureyri
Overnight stay in Akureyri
Option 2
Relax after the race in one of the lovely swimming pools
Drive back to Reykjavik and enjoy the evening in the Reykavik
Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Day 4: Sunday
Option 1
Relax in the Blue Lagoon
Use the day to explore the Golden Circle the highlighs of the southwest. Drive to Thingvellir, the National Park and the location for the oldest Parliament in the world. Drive from Thingvellr through Lyngdalsheidi to Laugarvatn. From there drive to Geysir and Gullfoss. From Gullfoss drive back to Reykjavik. This trip should take 6-8 hours, about 3 hours driving. There will be daylight through the night.
Enjoy Reykjavik
Owernight stay in Reykjavik
Option 2
Drive back to Reykjavik and enjoy the evening in the Reykavik capital
Overnight stay in Reykjavik
Day 5: Monday
Enjoy Reykjavik in the morning.
Departure from Keflavik Airport at in the afternoon
Price from £585 per person sharing double/twin room*
*If you choose a single room we will do our best to find you a single room without extra charge or a minimm single charge. Please make enquiry here below.
*If you choose a family room for 3 or more persons we will do our best to find you a better deal for you and your family/friends. Please make an enquiry here below.
Useful links
Pictures galleri - pictures by Dettifoss Trail Run 2009.
